What is carved?

Answer 1

an image carved into a surface

Answer 2

Carving is simply changing the shape of a material usually using tools.

Wood and stone are the most popular materials used but anything solid can be carved. tools can range from basic knives and chisels to diamond tipped power cutters and chainsaws. Carving can be done in relief i.e. forms are carved into the surface of a material, or sculpted in the round.

Carving differs from other forms of sculpture in that it is subtractive; shapes and patterns are created by removing pieces of the material you are working with. Carvings can range from the tiny and intricate such as Japanese netsuke, to the enormous such as Mt Rushmore. Carving is a very ancient art form and many cultures have very old carving traditions.